Letters -- Published Feb. 11, 2013

Monday

Feb 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The Sandy Hook massacre and similar carnages are not isolated tragedies nearly so much as they are all symptoms of a much larger and more complex problem. We are losing innocent people by the dozens every day in drive-by shootings, hit-and-run murders and robberies. We have become desensitized to these tragedies unless they occur in a dramatic fashion.

The Sandy Hook massacre and similar carnages are not isolated tragedies nearly so much as they are all symptoms of a much larger and more complex problem. We are losing innocent people by the dozens every day in drive-by shootings, hit-and-run murders and robberies. We have become desensitized to these tragedies unless they occur in a dramatic fashion.

There is a tangible and lethal change taking place in this nation; a change that won't be halted or altered by shallow emotional appeals for gun control or armed guards. Modern American culture has spawned a multitude of evils. We coddle our criminals and abuse our elders. We seem to admire those who succeed in "breaking the rules." Significant numbers of our youths are growing up shaped like pears and virtually uninspired by anything not containing batteries. Still others are born into poverty so that mom can get a bigger welfare check. Immigrants who neither know nor care about this republic are not only allowed but encouraged to enter this country and receive its bounty (or what's left of it). The work ethic that made this country vital and robust is gone. Illegal drugs are epidemic and, I believe, are playing a much bigger role in violent crime than we now know.

Sweeping change in the national value system is unavoidable. Motherhood and fatherhood are primary responsibilities and must be taken much more seriously. We need to raise our children, not merely let them live here.

Don't get me wrong; there are a lot of good kids out there. They are easy to identify. They're productive and they're not killing anybody.

Dennis Grady

San Andreas

The Pacific women's basketball team is finally starting to get some recognition as they strive to qualify for its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. For the second straight week, the 16-3 Lady Tigers earned a vote in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association/USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll, and only 37 teams in the country are receiving votes.

If the Tigers win the rest of their games, I think they should be considered for the NCAA Tournament as an at-large selection if they somehow don't win the Big West Tournament title in Anaheim. Hopefully, the NCAA Selection Committee is paying close attention to the Tigers, because they are ready to go dancing this year.

Henry Hirata

Stockton

Gov. Jerry Brown promises to protect the water for all. How about fixing the problems with the Delta now, restore the fish runs to a decent level that shows a healthy waterway, then let's talk about the tunnels? They haven't done a great job protecting the water so far. All the tunnels will do is make sure the Los Angeles and San Diego are the ones protected. We get to go to hell.

Mike Palumbo

Manteca

Folks who favor the legalization of marijuana should consider its impact on road safety in California.

When you get in your car to drive anywhere, you navigate roadways shared with many other drivers, a percentage of whom are impaired by alcohol use, cellphone use, eating while driving and other distractions.

Imagine adding many more drivers stoned on legal marijuana to the mix.

Linda Bonilla

Stockton

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